Game and puzzle apparatus.



M. H. GORNSTON.

GAME AND PUZZLE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 19. I917.

1,262,662. Patented Ap1'.16,1918.

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, 6 m III'II Ilifl ll. .IIHJ llm j i m VENTOT Wwhw/ a e 06 w? Iran/var MICHAEL GORNSTON, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

GAME AND PUZZLE APBAIRIATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

- Application filed April 19, 1917. Serial No. 163,108.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that 1, MICHAEL H. Germ s'rox,

a citizen of the United States, and resident,

of the borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game and Puzzle Apparatus, of which the following is a specification. 7

My invention relates to apparatus forproviding amusement and for testing ingenuity, at the same time giving a very striking demonstration of certain physical laws, the working of which is not generally understood by the average man.

A typical form of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of two parts or members of the apparatus;

Figs. 3 and A are side elevations of the other parts of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 illustrates a modification;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the apparatus put together;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the way of using the apparatus; and

Fig. 7 illustrates the resulting action.

The improved game apparatus comprises four different kinds of parts or elements. First, there is a base A, in the nature of a small board adapted to be set on a table or other substantially level surface, and provided with a series of pockets A in its top surface; in the embodiment illustrated, these pockets extend entirely through the base, to the bottom surface thereof, but this is not essential. Second, on this base A is adapted to be supported loosely a thin board or member B, of a length equal to that of the base, or approximately so, but materially wider than the base. In its upper surface the thin upper member B is provided with a series of marks B in positions corresponding to the pockets A, so that when the board B is placed on the base A, with their rear edges and their side edges registering as in Figs. 5 and 6, the marks B will be directly above the pockets A. Third, on the upper member B are adapted to rest the rods or colunms G preferably made as rods, of circular cross section with concavities or sockets ateach end. Fourth, and finally, there is provided a set of balls or marbles D, of a proper size to rest in the sockets formed by the upper ends of the columns or tubes 0. The number of columns and balls equals thatof the marks B and pocketsA. Making the col umns C with sockets C at both ends presents the advantage of enabling either end of the column to be used at the upper end.

The apparatus is set up for use as shown in'Figs. 5 and 6, with the columns C on the marks B and directly above the pockets A. The player is then asked to transfer the balls D resting on top of the columns C, to the pockets A, without touching either the balls or the base A or column C. Generally the player who does not know the trick will try a great many difi'erent ways unsuccessfully before he discovers the right way, which consists in flipping the board or upper member B together with the columns C away from under the balls D, by a sharp blow struck against the projecting front portion of the member B, in about the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7. The inertia of the balls will prevent them from sharing this quick movement of the member B and columns C, and the balls will simply fall into the pockets A lying directly underneath them. If the movement is not quick enough, the attempt will fail either entirely or partially, that is only some ,of the balls may fall into the respective pockets. I v

The apparatus therefore provides first of all, a puzzle, the problem being to discover the method of causing the balls to pass into the respective pockets without touching either the balls D or the base'A. Second, the apparatus is instructive in demonstrating the eii'ects'of inertia which are rather surprising to the lay mind. Third, the ap paratus may be used as a game to be played by. a number of players, say by scoring points according to the number of halts landed in the proper pockets at each attempt or play, or other methods of scoring may be adopted. The improved apparatus is very simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

In the modification illustrated by Fig. 4 the column 0 is made as a tube of circular cross section, open at both ends; this not only lightens the column, but forms sockets at each end thereof, so that either end may be used as the upper end to seat the ball D, as shown.-

I have illustrated a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of my invention, but it is obvious that changes may be made there- I on said base loosely and exceeding it in Width so as to project therefrom materially at one side, said member being provided With marks corresponding in position to said pockets, columns adapted to rest on said member and having sockets at each end, and balls adapted to be seated on the upper ends of said columns and to fall into said pockets.

2. A game apparatus comprising a base provided With pockets open at their upper ends, a thin upper member adapted to rest on said base loosely and exceeding it in Width so as to project therefrom materially at one side, columns adapted to stand on said member and provided-With sockets at their upper ends, and balls adapted to be nasaeez seated in said sockets and to fall into said pockets.

3. A game apparatus comprising a base provided with pockets open at their upper ends, a thin upper member adapted to rest on said base loosely and to project therefrom materially at one side, columns adapted to stand loosely on said member, and balls.

intermediate member, and means adapted to set loosely upon said supporting means and to fall into said pockets.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, 1 have signed my name 1n presence of tWo subscribing; Witnesses.

MICHAEL H. GORNSTON.

Witnesses: V V

D. LEWIs MATTERN, MARTIN N. EMORRY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

